Patriots-Lions preview: Almost for real

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Patriots-Lions preview: Almost for real

DETROIT – The third preseason game is the true dress rehearsal for the start of the season. The effort Thursday night in Detroit will be the most focused and intense of the practice games. The starters will go into the second half for both teams. And the Lions – who’ve been rough in the back seven and offensively – need to get some positive mojo going in Motown.

WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL

Great battle for the Patriots first offense, especially to test themselves against the very talented Lions’ front anchored by Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Can New England have their way up front in the running game and get themselves in second-and-reasonable? And if they can’t, who will be the chunk guy on second down? It’s usually the slot guy but Danny Amendola may not play after being down Monday and Tuesday with what I’m told is a minor, short-term ding. Julian Edelman figures to get some reps at the slot, but the versatility of the Patriots offense could see Josh McDaniels cook up something to test some of the young guys in the slot, particularly Josh Boyce or even Shane Vereen. Aaron Dobson was quiet last week. The Lions secondary is not daunting. We’ll see if he gets some looks this week. Stevan Ridley has the No. 1 spot locked down, it seems, but LeGarrette Blount has shown enough in his game and practice reps to warrant a look on first and second down as well. Also curious to see the deployment of Tim Tebow. If he gets reps early running out of the full-house backfield, you’ll know they envision him as being a viable part of the club. Mop-up, fourth-quarter reps would signal trouble for Tim.

WHEN THE LIONS HAVE THE BALL

The best in the business, Calvin Johnson, isn’t a definite for this one. If he’s out there, great test for the entire secondary. Devin McCourty shed his non-contact jersey this week. He still hasn’t played in the preseason so the Patriots would probably like to get him in there unless they remain uneasy about his shoulder and want to save him. Same with Alfonzo Dennard. Bill Belichick talked this week about settling on some pairings in the competitive safety rotation. Watch to see if he sticks with a pairing for an extended period at the back end. Dane Fletcher has quietly had a very solid camp. With the explosiveness of the Lions offensive weapons and the presence of Reggie Bush, Fletcher may get first and second-down reps if the Patriots go to their sub defense. Excellent pass rush presence from the Patriots last week. A follow-up performance that harries Matt Stafford would spark real optimism.

THE KICKING GAME

Stephen Gostkowski is 2-for-5 in the preseason. He’s not going anywhere but confidence is always a factor with him. Meanwhile, the punting competition between Zoltan Mesko and Ryan Allen isn’t yet resolved though Mesko certainly seems in good shape there. Leon Washington and Edelman are the main returners so far. My belief is Washington sticks because the Patriots have been so ineffective on kickoff returns in recent years and he’ll inject some life there. Edelman can break one but he also makes some weird decisions on punt return trying to make something out of nothing. With his reduced reps, he’ll be taking risks most likely.

GAME WITHIN THE GAME

The Patriots young receivers against the Lions defensive backs. Uncovering for Tom Brady, getting off the line and being in spots that allows Brady to continue his rhythmic dissections of secondaries is Job One with Amendola possibly out.

LIONS GOTTA STOP ...

DON'T BE SURPRISED IF ...

This takes on a regular season feel. The Lions have not been outstanding in preseason and coach Jim Schwartz will be turning the screws for a good performance. Bill Belichick knows this and he’ll want his team to not match Detroit’s effort but exceed it.

THAT SUMS IT UP, PATRIOTS STYLE

“Well, they’re all very good. I mean, they’ve got [Nick] Fairley and Suh [who] are as good as anybody in the league. They’re tough, physical, hard-nosed, they play for 60 minutes. We’ve had preseason games against them. We played against them on Thanksgiving a few years ago. Talk about talent, they’ve got all the talent in the world, so it’ll be a good test for us.” – Brady on the Lions defense.

THAT SUMS IT UP, LIONS STYLE

"We are going to be all right on offense, but my thing is getting my wind right, We've got a long season, but the better conditioned you are the better you are going to be in that fourth quarter." – Lions wideout Calvin Johnson on why he wants to play Thursday.